Last year, Chuma Okeke heard his name called in the first round of the NBA Draft, and this year, it was Isaac Okoro.
Okoro was selected fifth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft.
As a 5-star prospect out of McEachern High School, Okoro was selected as an all-state performer four times and was rated as the second-best player in Georgia by 247Sports.
At Auburn, Okoro lived up to the hype. His defensive presence is what the 6-foot-6 hooper is known for, and other schools noticed as the season went on.
The 19-year-old averaged 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and a block per game in 28 games. He was named SEC Freshman of the Week twice, joining only Jared Harper, Aaron Swinson and Wesley Person as the only Tigers to achieve this in one season.
At the end of the season, Okoro was selected to the SEC All-Conference Team, All-Defensive Team and All-Freshman Team, only the sixth time in conference history that the feat had been accomplished.
Okoro’s defensive ability and pure size and stature are what many front offices consider his strongest attributes. He is a fully capable scorer but needs to polish off his overall offensive game. However, his basketball knowledge and upside are what make him a first-round talent.
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